Everyone is familiar with House Sparrows though experts aren’t sure if they are actually in the sparrow family, the weaver finch family or some other grouping. They are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica though they are originally from the Middle East and have migrated or been brought by human beings elsewhere.
During a walk at Bronte Creek Provincial Park on this chilly but sunny morning I came across a little farm which is in operation in the park:
People are not discouraged from feeding these turkeys.
House Sparrows, who have probably been here for generations, know all about the plentiful feed and a family of about a dozen appear to live here year round.
Cardinals are also attracted:
Some botany:
NATURE POETRY
As Trees are by their Bark embrac’d,
Love to my Soul doth cling; – John Wilmot 1647 – 80)
Miles Hearn
The polypore looks like the so-called hoof fungus, Fomes fomentarius.
Looking at the cows and domestic turkeys, I am reminded of a relatively recent “Mutts” cartoon in which the neighbourhood butcher whose shop the cat and dog characters always visit in order to cadge snacks (whereupon he always kicks them out) has an “epiphany” visiting a petting farm and converts his delicatessen, a long-running feature of this animal-friendly strip, into one that is vegan. What can I say? I was a vegetarian, but I became very ill and had to give it up. Then I look at the animals here and feel guilty. More power to those who can do it, I guess!
Thanks, Miles! (I mean it–I did enjoy the pictures!)